Rice sheath mite

Sheath mite can be considered as a serious pest in rice crop causing 5% – 90% yield losses. It is microscopic in size. Sheath mites live in the space between leaf sheaths and feed on the adaxial surface of leaf sheath and developing kernels.

Symptoms

• High infestation at booting stage of the crop  can be observed as symptoms  of chocolate brown colour lesions on leaf sheaths.

Effective control methods

• Destroy infected stubbles by plugging just after harvesting or by burning.
• Sun drying of seed paddy before soaking.
• Weed management
• Monitor the crop from early booting stage for chocolate color lesions on leaf sheaths.
• Single application of recommended insecticides if the signs have been observed.
• Crop rotation with leguminous crops such a meeng
• Follow the fied for 2-3 seasons if the problem was not controlled with the above measures.